The recent storylines in Archie comics, which focus on gay characters, have the American Family Association wringing their hands in concern. Last month, Archie spin-off Life With Archie drew headlines — both for a climactic scene where Archie takes a bullet for a gay friend, and for the comics' depiction of a gay wedding (an interracial couple including a gay soldier, no less).

On the American Family Association's program Today's Issues, Religious Right commentator Larry Tomczak discussed the comics, trotting out the usual "will somebody please think of the children" rhetoric.

I know I sound like an old crank but when kids grow up being fed lies, why should we surprised if they believe lies? Why should we be surprised if they say there is nothing wrong with same-sex marriage?[...]These kids grew up watching their parents laugh at Will & Grace, which changed people’s opinions, and now the kids don’t have a problem with it.

Check out an excerpt via YouTube AFTER THE JUMP, or head to Vimeo for the whole segment, if you need that in your life.

Comments

Too much irony. To talk of kids being fed lies, while failing to see that raising kids with hateful Christian values turns them into hateful Christian adults. Being gay isn't a choice. Being religious is.

Posted by: Pete | Aug 13, 2014 8:28:26 AM

If a simple comic book can destroy your religion you have a very pathetic religion.

Posted by: bkmn | Aug 13, 2014 8:38:19 AM

I am a longtime fan of Archie comics. If anything Archie Comics is helping instill great values in today's children. We should all be supporting this brave comic book publisher by buying its gay-friendly titles, which include Archie, Kevin Keller, and Afterlife with Archie. Kevin Keller has been a wonderful role model for LGBT youth, and now the new adult title Afterlife with Archie portrays strong gay, lesbian, and bisexual heroes. This company deserves all the praise in the world.

Posted by: Jimmy | Aug 13, 2014 9:22:53 AM

Memo to Ed Vitagliano:

Just laughing at something isn't automatically going to make someone like it.

We laugh at you, and it hasn't changed our opinion of you. And I sincerely hope that my kids will definitely have a problem with people like you.

Posted by: Lymis | Aug 13, 2014 9:43:49 AM

What lies is he talking about? That gay couples are getting married? But they are, in 19 states.

The destroying today's youth argument goes way back, and was used against comic books themselves back in the fifties--this initiated self-censorship in comic books similar to the type used in movies. Comics could be quite racy before that, but generally just gave 14 year olds what they wanted to see. They same argument was also used against rock music, disco, punk rock, heavy metal and rap music--not to mention video games, D&D, Halloween, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and the teaching of evolution. Things never mentioned include war, crime, disease, racism and poverty.

Posted by: anon | Aug 13, 2014 1:19:30 PM

The history of Archie Comics is interesting. In the 80s, the owner took the comics in a totally right-wing direction, which meant a 50s sort of 'white kitchen' kind of boring.... They were Christian-themed, and very plain.

It wasn't until the recent generation of owners that this progressive shift happened.

As I result, I'm reading Archie comics since they have a bit of an adult flavor (especially "AfterLife with Archie").

Anyone interested in recent comics with a flair for engaging stories might want to try Life With Archie, the Kevin Keller series, and the Afterlife series...

Posted by: TonyJazz | Aug 13, 2014 5:34:47 PM

If gay comics unglue these already unhinged folks, I might say I feel sorry for them, but I don't, so I say more, more, more!!!!!

Posted by: Bernie | Aug 13, 2014 7:07:36 PM

"OH NOES! Gay characters getting married in comics! EVERYBODY PANIC!"

Sure buddy. Whatever. Northstar married his boyfriend in X-Men #51 -it was even on the cover- a few months ago and the world didn't end. Deal with it.